PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD -- Tomorrow:
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 28 of 32
" . . . unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."
Other versions read, "for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously" (NASB) "so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully" (NIV), "for all endurance and patience with joy" (RSV), and "so that you may undergo all troubles with joy" (BBE).
The fact that God's "glorious power" is devoted to the accomplishment of these things confirms their priority. You will nowhere find God's "glorious power" associated with resolving interpersonal relationships, being highly successful in this world, or experiencing health and wealth. It is not connected with any fleshly experience, however noble it may appear.
When one young man attempted to have Christ resolve a domestic dispute, Jesus replied, "Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you?" (Luke 12:14.) Jesus was not saying He despised such resolutions. Rather, He was showing us that is not the purpose of His "glorious power." The reason for His answer reveals more of the root of the matter, and is stated in the next verse. "And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).
The words that follow will chaff against institutional agendas and mere human perceptions of valid and honorable kingdom accomplishments. However, every "honest and good heart" will perceive the priority of these matters. You can go to heaven and lack both health and wealth. You can also go to heaven with your foes being members of your own house. But you cannot dwell in the house of the Lord forever if you are lacking in the areas that follow. You had better make it your business not to fail in these things – especially since God's "glorious power" has been given to ensure their realization.
FULL MEASURES
Divine objectives are for us to have full measures of blessing, not introductory ones or mere samplings. Our minds are to be stretched to think in terms of grandness and thoroughness. Thus far, we have read of "ALL the saints," "ALL the world," "ALL wisdom and spiritual understanding," and "ALL might" (1:4,6, 9,10,11). Now we will read of "ALL patience and longsuffering."
UNTO ALL PATIENCE
". . . unto all patience . . . " "Patience" is steadfastness (NASB), and endurance (RSV). It is constancy and continuance, or duration (STRONG'S). The person who is "patient," or endures, is not moved off course. Even the greatest trials and afflictions will not cause the "patient" one to leave the race that has been set before him (Heb 12:1-2).
The one who is "patient" keeps fighting (1 Tim 6:12), continues running (Heb 12:2), and does not stop wrestling (Eph 6:12). If he falls down "seven times," he rises again to continue the trek to glory (Prov 24:16). He may be troubled, but he is not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but he is not destroyed (2 Cor 4:8-9). Like those noble warriors of Zebulun, those who are "patient" are able to "keep rank," and are not of a "double heart" (1 Chron 12:33).
The "patient" person does not become weary in well doing, and does not faint or quit (Gal 6:9; 2 Cor 4:1,16).
"Patience" is perseverance and persistence. It is when a person, like Jacob, will not let go until he obtains the blessing (Gen 32:26).
Our text speaks of "ALL patience." That is persistence in prayer – fainting not (Luke 18:1). It includes enduring "to the end" (Mk 13:13), and not being "weary in well doing" (Gal 6:9). This includes being a faithful steward (1 Cor 4:2), enduring all manner of persecution, and pressing relentlessly "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ" (Phil 3:14). It involves not fainting when we are "rebuked" by the Lord (Heb 12:5).
"All patience" includes "enduring unto the end," even when we are "hated of all men" for Jesus' sake (Matt 10:22). It is standing firm when iniquity is abounding all about us, and "the love of many" is waxing "cold" (Matt 24:12-13). It is continuing in the faith, and entering the kingdom "through much tribulation" (Acts 14:22).
"All patience" is standing "fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free," and not being "entangled again with a yoke of bondage" (Gal 54:1). It includes holding "fast the form of sound words," and not being thrown off course by the theological fads of the day (2 Tim 1:13). There is also the matter of enduring "hardness as a good soldier" (2 Tim 2:3), and continuing in "the things which thou hast learned" (2 Tim 3:14). "All patience" involves giving "the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip" (Heb 2:1). It is maintaining "the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" (Heb 3:14), and having the "full assurance of hope unto the end" (Heb 6:11).
It is through "faith and patience" that we "inherit the promises" (Heb 6:12). Unstable and unfaithful people do not obtain the promises of God! I do not believe the average American Christian has any significant understanding of this. There is too much vacillation, unfaithfulness, lukewarmness, and disinterest. All of this means the people are not experiencing God's "glorious power." The reason they lack this power is that they have really seen no need for it. They are not doing something that requires the power, so they have not received it. People are looking for this marvelous power – the power that raised Jesus from the dead – to accomplish things that are of little or no eternal consequence. They will not receive it! It is for matters related to arriving safely at the goal.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You for a power that can enable me to endure unto the end.